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Blue Economy: Why Nigeria must awaken the sleeping giant for economic prosperity

Chika Chukwudi

At a time when Nigeria is urgently seeking sustainable pathways to economic stability, poverty reduction, and mass job creation, it has become increasingly clear that the nation must rethink its development priorities.

While agriculture, oil and gas, technology, and manufacturing all hold value, none offers the scale of untapped opportunity that lies within Nigeria’s blue economy and maritime sector.

It is time for the Federal Government to invest more aggressively in the blue economy than any other sector; not as an experiment, but as a strategic national imperative.

A sector with vast untapped potential,Nigeria is geographically positioned as a maritime powerhouse.

With over 850 kilometers of Atlantic coastline and access to the Gulf of Guinea, the country sits on one of the busiest maritime routes in Africa.

Additionally, Nigeria is blessed with extensive inland waterways, including the River Niger and River Benue systems, as well as numerous lakes and dams.

Yet, despite these natural advantages, the maritime sector contributes far below its potential to national GDP.

Ports remain under-optimized, inland waterways underutilized, fisheries underdeveloped, and coastal tourism largely unexplored.

A nation surrounded by water should not be surrounded by economic stagnation.

Job Creation at Unmatched Scale

No other sector has the capacity to generate employment across such a wide spectrum of skill levels as the blue economy.

From artisanal fisheries to industrial aquaculture, from shipbuilding and repairs to maritime logistics, from port management to marine biotechnology, the opportunities span both formal and informal sectors.

Unlike capital-intensive industries that absorb limited skilled labor, the maritime sector can employ millions—fishermen, boat builders, marine engineers, dockworkers, environmental scientists, processors, exporters, and entrepreneurs.

Investing in fisheries and aquaculture alone could significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on fish importation while creating rural jobs.

Developing shipbuilding and maintenance hubs would stimulate industrial growth. Expanding coastal tourism would empower local communities.

If properly harnessed, the blue economy can become Nigeria’s largest employer of labor.

A Powerful Tool for Poverty Alleviation

Poverty in Nigeria is most severe in rural and coastal communities. Ironically, these communities sit closest to abundant aquatic resources.

By investing in modern fishing techniques, cold chain logistics, processing facilities, and export frameworks, the government can raise incomes at the grassroots level.

The blue economy directly connects natural resources to livelihoods. It allows small-scale operators to participate in global value chains.

 It empowers women in fish processing and marketing. It supports youth entrepreneurship in aquaculture and marine services.

Few sectors distribute wealth as inclusively as the maritime ecosystem.

Economic Diversification Beyond Oil

For decades, Nigeria’s economic health has fluctuated with global oil prices. The volatility of crude markets has repeatedly exposed the risks of mono-product dependence.

Meanwhile, countries that invested heavily in maritime trade and ocean-based industries have built resilient economies.

The global shipping industry drives over 80 percent of world trade by volume.

 Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation, should be a dominant maritime hub; not merely a participant.

Strategic investment in port modernization, maritime security, indigenous shipping lines, and marine renewable energy can generate foreign exchange earnings, attract international investors, and reduce capital flight.

Diversification is no longer optional; it is survival. And the blue economy offers the strongest foundation for that transition.

Strengthening National Security and Regional Influence

Beyond economics, maritime investment strengthens national sovereignty.

Improved naval capacity, port efficiency, and maritime surveillance reduce piracy, illegal fishing, and resource theft in the Gulf of Guinea.

A strong maritime economy enhances Nigeria’s leadership role in West Africa and positions the country as a gateway for regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.

Catalyzing Industrial Growth and Infrastructure Development

Heavy investment in the maritime sector triggers multiplier effects across the economy.

 Shipyards require steel, engineering services, and technical expertise. Ports demand road and rail connectivity. Fisheries require cold storage, packaging, and logistics systems.

Every naira invested in maritime infrastructure stimulates broader economic activity.

Unlike sectors that operate in isolation, the blue economy integrates transportation, manufacturing, trade, energy, tourism, and environmental management into one interconnected growth engine.

A Long-Term, Sustainable Growth Model

When managed responsibly, marine and aquatic resources are renewable. Sustainable fisheries, offshore wind energy, eco-tourism, and marine biotechnology offer growth without exhausting natural capital.

With proper regulation and environmental safeguards, Nigeria can build a blue economy that generates prosperity today without compromising future generations.

A Call for Bold Policy Action

The question is not whether Nigeria should invest in the blue economy. The question is whether Nigeria can afford not to.

Prioritizing maritime education, strengthening maritime institutions, expanding coastal infrastructure, supporting indigenous shipping, and financing aquaculture enterprises should form the core of national economic planning.

The blue economy is not just another sector, it is a sleeping giant. And if awakened through deliberate policy and sustained investment, it can alleviate poverty, generate millions of jobs, stabilize foreign exchange earnings, and secure Nigeria’s economic future.

Nigeria’s prosperity lies not only beneath its soil, but upon its waters.

The time to act is now.

Chika Chukwudi,the  Author of Blue Economy: Gateway to a Sustainable Future, is a Staff of  NIMASA and writes from Lagos 
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Headlines

Greg Ogbeifun confirms chairmanship of 10th AMSAY Conference Anniversary on May 27th.

Gloria Odion,  Maritime reporter 
The organisers of the Annual Maritime Students and Youth (AMSAY) Conference have announced that  renowned ship owner and Chairman of Starzs Investment Company Ltd, Engr Greg Ogbeifun will chair the 10th anniversary of the event scheduled to hold in Lagos on May 27, 2026.
The announcement comes as preparations intensify for what is widely regarded as a landmark edition of the youth-focused maritime conference.
The 10th AMSAY Conference marks a decade of sustained youth engagement, innovation, and impact in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
It is expected to bring together industry leaders, policymakers, stakeholders, and young professionals from across the maritime ecosystem.
Engr. Ogbeifun’s confirmation as Chairman adds significant weight to the anniversary event.
He previously served as the Pioneer Chairman during the maiden edition of the conference in 2016, and his return ten years later is described by the organisers as both symbolic and strategic.
According to the Convener and CEO of Platforms Communications, Mr Sylvanus Obasi, the decision reflects a deliberate effort to connect the conference’s origins with its current status, noting that the AMSAY Conference has evolved significantly over the past decade.
He highlighted that several key initiatives now associated with the conference were not part of its original design.
 Among these are the Best Graduating Maritime Students Awards (BEGMASA); the  Fola Ojutalayo Annual Maritime Speech-Making Competition (FOAMSC), including the Maritime Career Mentoring Program (M-CAMP).
These programmes, according to him, have become integral components and offshoot of the AMSAY Conference brand.
Speaking further, Obasi stated that the initiatives have delivered measurable impact in youth development and professional capacity building, even as he further described the growth of these programmes as evidence of the conference’s commitment to continuous improvement.
“Bringing Engr. Ogbeifun back after ten years is a strategic move. It gives us the opportunity to reflect on our journey and showcase our achievements.”, the Convener said, adding that the anniversary edition will also provide a platform to draw from Engr Greg’s  wealth of experience and industry insight.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Central Planning Committee of AMSAY Conference, Mr Nnamdi Eronini hinted that the 10th AMSAY Conference is expected to feature robust discussions, mentorship engagements, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
He reaffirmed the organisers commitment to advancing the maritime sector through sustained youth engagement and innovation, noting that the event is positioned as a leading platform for shaping the future of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
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Customs

Oyo/Osun Customs Command collects 27.2billon revenue in Q1 2026

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has posted an impressive 95% increase in revenue collection in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
Led by Acting Comptroller Wale Moses Adewole, the command generated ₦27.2 billion between January and March 2026, up from ₦13.97 billion in Q1 2025.
A breakdown of the generated revenue revealed that the command raked in a total sum of N5,977,766,941.65 in January 2026 which was about N2 billion lower (23% down) than the total sum of N7,804,408,776.88 collected in the same period of 2025.
However, despite a dip in January, revenue rebounded strongly in February and March.
 In February , the command’s revenue collection jumped up astronomically to a total sum of N8,767,974,864.40 against the very low total revenue of N2,289,193,870 realized in the corresponding period of 2025.
This year’s February revenue is over 383% higher than the revenue collected the same period last year.
February’s performance was the standout, with collections nearly quadrupling year-on-year.
In March 2026, Acting Comptroller Adewole’s administrative ingenuity and thoroughness further shored up the revenue generation of the command in the month under review to a total sum of N12,454,516,158.62.
 In the corresponding period  of last year, the command’s generated revenue was a patry sum of N3,877,668,667.
This year’s March revenue achievement represents 321% rise over last year’s.
 Acting Comptroller Adewole’s administrative reforms and enforcement measures are credited with driving the surge.
Overall, the command’s Q1 results underscore a significant improvement in efficiency and compliance, positioning Oyo/Osun as one of the strongest performing Customs Commands in the country.
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Headlines

NRC decries ceaseless attacks, vandalism on trains along Abuja- Kaduna rail corridor 

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has lamented the ceaseless attacks on its train operations along the  notorious Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor by suspected vandals and criminal elements.
In a statement by the Corporation,the latest incident occurred around Kilometer 177 along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor, where some unknown persons reportedly gathered along the rail track and began pelting stones at a moving train, leading to damage to the windscreen of the leading locomotive.
The NRC noted with deep concern that within the last two weeks, similar attacks have also been witnessed in other locations, including Gidan Busa/Sarki Gora Village, Kakau District, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, among others, a development it feared is posing serious danger to railway operations, passengers, and operational personnel.
The NRC management disclosed that similar incidents have so far been recorded in more than six locations along the corridor, thereby worsening the already challenging and stressful operational conditions under which the Corporation continues to provide essential transport services to Nigerians.
The NRC stated that these persistent attacks not only endanger lives and damage critical railway infrastructure, but also constitute acts of economic sabotage capable of disrupting national transportation and undermining the huge investments of the Federal Government in the railway sector.
The Corporation however assured that despite the unfortunate development, train operations have continued with necessary safety precautions and strict operational vigilance by railway personnel who have continued to demonstrate commitment and professionalism in ensuring that passengers reach their destinations safely.
The Management of the Corporation specially acknowledged the efforts and support of security operatives working tirelessly with the NRC to secure railway corridors and safeguard passengers and railway assets despite the persistent attacks.
It said it is currently working closely with security agencies, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen surveillance along the corridor, identify the perpetrators, and bring them to justice.
The NRC therefore called on residents and communities along railway corridors to support efforts aimed at protecting railway infrastructure by reporting suspicious activities and discouraging criminal attacks on trains and railway installations.
NRC further expressed concerns that continuous attacks on railway operations could negatively affect smooth service delivery if urgent collective action is not taken to curb the menace.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation remains committed to ensuring safe, secure, and efficient train operations across the country and assures passengers that every necessary measure is being taken to safeguard lives and railway assets” the statement concluded.
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